as in winter
a period of often involuntary inactivity or idleness
we need to take a time-out from our relationship to think things over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of time-out
And some biz owners have struggled to set up accounts due to time-out errors and unclear instructions, per a local Reddit thread of gripes about it.
—
Karri Peifer, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Just over a minute after San Jose fell behind 3-0 at the 9:50 mark of the first, Askarov, during a media time-out, went to the team’s bench to talk with head athletic trainer Jaime Garcia, then left the ice and returned to the team’s dressing room.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Consult with your day-care provider about whether time-outs involving quiet moon-sand play would encourage more regulated decision-making.
—Cora Frazier, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
At the time of our conversation near the end of the first month of 2025, as it’s been a week into a second term for Donald Trump and close to three weeks since wildfires started raging through Los Angeles, Garcelle Beauvais wants to call a time-out.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Karri Peifer, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Just over a minute after San Jose fell behind 3-0 at the 9:50 mark of the first, Askarov, during a media time-out, went to the team’s bench to talk with head athletic trainer Jaime Garcia, then left the ice and returned to the team’s dressing room.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025
Consult with your day-care provider about whether time-outs involving quiet moon-sand play would encourage more regulated decision-making.
—Cora Frazier, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
At the time of our conversation near the end of the first month of 2025, as it’s been a week into a second term for Donald Trump and close to three weeks since wildfires started raging through Los Angeles, Garcelle Beauvais wants to call a time-out.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for time-out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for time-out
Noun
-
In Chicago, cigars were an easy thing to socialize around, especially in the fall and winter.—
William Goodman,
Robb Report,
1 May 2025
-
The romantic comedy follows three married couples through the highs and lows of spring, summer, fall, and winter, per Netflix’s Tudum.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
If one partner needs space and the other needs closeness, find a middle ground, like agreeing to revisit the conversation after a short break.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Reese also played a role in Chicago scoring easy baskets, running the break and finding fellow second-year center Kamilla Cardoso just two minutes into the game.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
The downtime necessary to roll out the update is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. Eastern time.—
Dan Cody,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
These are our best Mother's Day gift ideas to help moms work from home, annotate their books, or dip into the world of gaming in their downtime.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Don’t wait for a business lull or career crossroads to reconnect.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
But intensifying Russian attacks against Kyiv earlier this week following a lull over the Easter holiday led Trump to take a rare shot against Putin on Thursday.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And sometimes, a pause that lingers a moment longer than expected can speak louder than any update.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
Join 87 others in the comments View Comments The survey was conducted from April 17 to 24, after the White House first announced expansive new tariffs on dozens of countries, and then called a pause on many of them.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
This vignette of administrative chaos exacerbated by mass layoffs will be familiar to any federal employee or contractor whose agency has been felled of late by the whimsical machete of DOGE.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
-
In New Haven, a $23 million budget deficit could mean the removal of over 150 positions, including layoffs and closing vacancies.—
Jessika Harkay,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Time-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/time-out. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share